Method for the contactless determination of an electrical potential of an object using two different values for the electric flux, and device

A method for contactless determination of an electrical potential of an object, comprising:

• providing a space between an electrode and the object;
• connecting the electrode to a reference potential;
• setting a first value for electric flux between the electrode and the object by positioning the electrode at a first distance from the object and setting the reference potential to a first potential value;
• determining a first temporal change in an electrical state of charge of the electrode at the first value for the electric flux between the electrode and the object;
• setting a second value for the electric flux between the electrode and the object by positioning the electrode at the first distance from the object and setting the reference potential to a second potential value which is different from the first potential value;
• determining a second temporal change in the electrical state of charge of the electrode at the second value for the electric flux between the electrode and the object;
• and
• determining the electrical potential of the object at least from the first temporal change in the electrical state of charge of the electrode, from the second temporal change in the electrical state of charge of the electrode and from a difference between the first value and the second value for the electric flux.

A device for contactless determination of an electrical potential of an object, comprising:

• an electrode which can be spatially arranged at a distance from the object;
• a potential generator electrically connected to the electrode to:
• generate a first potential value to thereby set a first value for electric flux between the electrode and the object when the electrode is positioned at a first distance from the object;
• and
• generate a second potential value which is different from the first potential value to thereby set a second value for the electric flux between the electrode and the object when the electrode is positioned at the first distance from the object;
• and
• an evaluation unit to:
• determine a first temporal change in an electrical state of charge of the electrode at the first value for the electric flux between the electrode and the object;
• determine a second temporal change in the electrical state of charge of the electrode at the second value for the electric flux between the electrode and the object;
• and
• determine the electrical potential of the object at least from the first temporal change in the electrical state of charge of the electrode, from the second temporal change in the electrical state of charge of the electrode, and from a difference between the first value and the second value for the electric flux between the electrode and the object.